Abstract: A flexible high resolution endoscope is provided herein. The endoscope comprises: a plurality of optical fiber bundles; a plurality of lenses in a one-to-one relationship with the plurality of optical fiber bundles; and, a plurality of cameras in a one-to-one relationship with the plurality of optical fiber bundles, each respective optical fiber bundle, of the plurality of optical fiber bundles, having a respective lens, of the plurality of lenses, located at a respective distal end, and a camera, of the plurality of cameras, located at a respective proximal end, the plurality of optical fiber bundles being coupled together at a common distal end, and otherwise being uncoupled from one another, a bending radius of the endoscope defined by a largest respective bending radius of each of the plurality of optical fiber bundles.

Abstract: A surgical camera system, and method therefor, is provided which includes a plurality of imaging devices each having a tunable iris configured to change between at least two different sized numerical apertures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) of multiple different nuclear spin species using the same radio frequency (“RF”) coil are described. Generally, multiple different nuclear spin species are imaged using the same RF coil by using an MRI system whose magnetic field can be rapidly ramped between a number of different, and arbitrary, magnetic field strengths. The magnetic field of this MRI system can be ramped to different values in reasonable amounts of time (e.g., in a time frame that is feasible within an imaging study).

Abstract: A coil apparatus and methods for magnetic resonance imaging involving a wire winding, the wire winding having at least one of: a hollow cross-section wire and a solid cross-section wire, the solid cross-section wire having at least one of: a solid small cross-section wire and a solid large cross-section wire, the solid large cross-section wire having a thickness greater than that of the solid small cross-section wire, and the solid small cross-section wire disposed in one of adjacent and proximate at least one of the hollow cross-section wire and the solid large cross-section wire, whereby at least one of current density, winding density, and heat extraction are increasable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly ramping the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, such as a superconducting magnet adapted for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, are provided. The magnetic field can be rapidly ramped up or down by changing the current density in the superconducting magnet while monitoring and controlling the superconducting magnet's temperature to remain below a transition temperature. A superconducting switch is used to connect the superconducting magnet and a power supply in a connected circuit. The current generated by the power supply is then adjusted to increase or decrease the current density in the superconducting magnet to respectively ramp up or ramp down the magnetic field strength in a controlled manner. The ramp rate at which the magnetic field strength is changed is determined and optimized based on the operating parameters of the superconducting magnet and the current being generated by the power supply.

Abstract: An exoscope with enhanced depth of field imaging is provided. The exoscope includes first and second sets of optical devices, the first set having a fixed image plane, the second set having a variable image plane adjacent the fixed image plane of the first set. The second set includes at least one variable device configured to change the position of the variable image plane. A beamsplitter splits light from a combined optical path of the first and second set to respective image devices of the first and second set of optical devices. A controller controls the at least one variable device to change the position of the variable image plane relative to the fixed image plane, combines images acquired by the respective image devices, and controls a display device to render a combined image.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system and methods involving: an optical assembly operable in response to a selected operation mode, the optical assembly having adjustable optics; a controller coupled with the optical assembly, the controller configured to: select an operation mode corresponding to at least one phase of the medical procedure and defining a setting for adjusting an adjustable optics; control the optical assembly to adjust an adjustable optics according to a setting; select another operation mode if at least one of an abnormal phase and an emergency phase of the medical procedure is determined to exist, the other mode of operation corresponding to another setting for adjusting the adjustable optics, the other setting having at least one of a magnification setting and a focus setting; and control the optical assembly to adjust the adjustable optics according to the other setting.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a system that includes: a housing having a bore in which a subject to be image is placed; a main magnet configured to generate a volume of magnetic field within the bore, the volume of magnetic field having inhomogeneity below a defined threshold; one or more gradient coils configured to linearly vary the volume of magnetic field as a function of spatial location; one or more pulse generating coils configured to generate and apply radio frequency (RF) pulses to the volume of magnetic field in sequence to scan the portion of the subject; one or more shim gradient coils configured to perturb a spatial distribution of the linearly varying volume of magnetic field; and a control unit configured to operate the gradient coils, pulse generating coils, and shim gradient coils such that only the user-defined region within the volume of magnetic field is imaged.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively and intraoperatively configuring an automated arm used during a medical procedure. The automated arm is configured to position and orient an end effector on the automated arm a desired distance and orientation from a target. The end effector may be an external video scope and the target may be a surgical port. The positions and orientations of the end effector and the target may be continuously updated. The position of the arm may be moved to new locations responsive to user commands. The automated arm may include a multi joint arm attached to a weighted frame. The weighted frame may include a tower and a supporting beam.

Abstract: A device and method for guided insertion of microelectrodes into tissue, the device involving a flexible optical fiber for optical coherence tomography imaging, a metal layer coating the optical fiber for recording electrical signals and an outer insulation layer coating the metal layer along the optical fiber length, and the method involving inserting an optical fiber coated with a metal layer and further coated with an insulation layer into a tissue, collecting intraoperative image data through the optical fiber by optical coherence tomography, receiving the image data on a computer and displaying the image on a monitor, using the image data to determine a location in the tissue, receiving an electrical nerve signal through the metal layer, and measuring the electrical nerve signal on an electro-physiological recording system.

Abstract: The navigation systems and methods facilitate aligning a tool in relation to a trajectory in real-time to receive input data from a pre-operative plan image, at least one multi-modal image, and at least one real-time multi-modal image; interactively track at least one neural fiber, whereby interactively tracked fiber data is obtainable; automatically generate output data by way of data transformation using the input data and the interactively tracked neural fiber data; and transmit the output data to at least one of: at least one display device for rendering at least one real-time interactive navigation display for facilitating neural navigation, and at least one drive device for positioning at least one tracking device in relation to the tool in real-time, whereby real-time alignment data is achievable, and whereby at least one neurological structure is preservable.

Abstract: A dressing apparatus and methods for facilitating healing, the apparatus and methods involving a dressing member, an electromagnetically conductive element mechanically coupled with the dressing member, and a primary RFID device configured to transmit at least one output signal to the electromagnetically conductive element, to receive at least one return signal from the electromagnetically conductive element, and to provide an alert if the at least one return signal has a strength corresponding to at least approximately a threshold amount of fluid present in the dressing member, whereby healing is facilitated.

Abstract: A 3D navigation system and methods for enhancing feedback during a medical procedure, involving: an optical imaging system having an optical assembly comprising movable zoom optics and movable focus optics, a zoom actuator for positioning the zoom optics, a focus actuator for positioning the focus optics, a controller for controlling the zoom actuator and the focus actuator in response to received control input, at least one detector for capturing an image of at least one of a target and an obstacle, the at least one detector operable with the optical assembly, and a proprioception feature operable with the optical imaging system for generating a 3D perception, the proprioception feature comprising a communication feature for providing 3D information, the 3D information comprising real-time depth information in relation to real-time planar information within an interrogation volume.

Abstract: Insertable imaging devices, and methods of use thereof in minimally invasive medical procedures, are described. In some embodiments, insertable imaging devices are described that can be introduced and removed from an access port without disturbing or risking damage to internal tissue. In some embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an access port, thereby allowing imaging of internal tissues within the vicinity of the access port, while, for example, enabling manipulation of surgical tools in the surgical field of interest. In other embodiments, imaging devices are integrated into an imaging sleeve that is insertable into an access port.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which devices that are employed during a medical procedure are adaptively configured during the medical procedure, based on input or feedback that is associated with the current state, phase or context of the medical procedure. In some example embodiments, the input is obtained via the identification of one or more medical instruments present within a region of interest, and this input may be employed to determine configuration parameters for configuring the device. In other example embodiments, the input may be based on the image-based detection of a measure associated with the phase or context of the medical procedure, and this input may be employed to adaptively control the device based on the inferred context or phase of the medical procedure. In other embodiments, images from one imaging modality may be employed to adaptively switch to another imaging modality.

Abstract: Multichannel optical coherence systems and methods involving optical coherence tomography (OCT) subsystems are operably and respectively connected to optical fibers of a multichannel optical probe, such that each optical fiber forms at least a distal portion of a sample beam path of a respective OCT subsystem. The optical fibers are in optical communication with distal optical elements such that external beam paths associated therewith are directed towards a common spatial region external to the housing. Image processing computer hardware is employed to process OCT signals obtained from the plurality of OCT subsystems to generate an OCT image dataset comprising a plurality of OCT A-scans and process the OCT image dataset to generate volumetric image data based on known positions and orientations of the external beam paths associated with the OCT subsystems.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for and a method of obtaining a magnetic resonance image by performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at multiple slices simultaneously. The method comprises generating a multiband pulse sequence for spin-echo imaging, the pulse sequence comprising a multiband excitation pulse and at least one multiband refocusing pulse, wherein the multiband excitation pulse simultaneously excites multiple bands, wherein the at least one multiband refocusing pulse simultaneously refocuses the multiple bands, and wherein the phases of the bands excited by the multiband excitation pulse and the phases of the bands refocused by the at least one multiband refocusing pulse are set according to a single row of an orthogonal encoding matrix. The multiband excitation pulse and the at least one multiband refocusing pulse collectively form a multiband pulse pair.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and using magnetic resonance (“MR”) visible labels or markers to encode information unique to the subject or object being imaged by a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system are provided. The use of such MR-visible labels or markers enables unique information associated with the subject or object being imaged to be encoded into the images of the subject or object. This information can be used to anonymize protected health information (“PHI”); to provide detailed information about a surgical simulation device, quality assurance phantom, or the like; to provide spatial orientation and registration information; or so on.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system includes: a main magnet configured to generate a volume of magnet field suitable for forming MR imaging; a transmit radio frequency (RF) coil assembly configured to transmit at least one RF signal; a receive radio frequency (RF) coil assembly configured to, in response to the at least one RF pulse, receive MR signals; a gradient coil assembly comprising (i) windings of coils arranged in a radial layer, and (ii) a first set of connectors embedded in the radial layer to reduce a radial extent occupied by the gradient coil assembly, the first set of electrical connectors configured to drive the windings of coils; and a control unit coupled to the transmit RF coil assembly, the receive RF coil assembly, and the gradient coils, the control unit configured to synchronously operate the gradient coil assembly, the transmit coil assembly, and the receive coil assembly.

Abstract: Insertable imaging devices and use methods thereof in minimally invasive medical procedures. Some insertable imaging devices are introduced and removed from an access port without disturbing or risking damage to internal tissue. Some insertable imaging devices are integrated with an access port, thereby allowing imaging of internal tissues within a vicinity of the access port, while enabling manipulation of surgical tools in the surgical field of interest. Some insertable imaging devices are integrated into an imaging sleeve that is insertable into an access port. Some insertable imaging devices perform imaging within an access port, wherein the imaging is based on one or more imaging modalities, including, but are not limited to, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, optical imaging, such as hyperspectral imaging and optical coherence tomography, and electrical conductive measurements.